'BBC Big Night In’: Fans Sob At Peter Kay’s ‘Amarillo' Remake Alongside The British Public

Comedian Peter Kay returned to screens last night as part of BBC's Big Night In, to raise money for coronavirus aid.

The Bolton icon brought back his infamous tune, 'Amarillo' for the Comic Relief and Children In Need telethon, roping in a whole bunch of the British public to star in the video alongside him.

The TV moment was Peter's first appearance on our boxes in over two years, and begun with footage of him in "sunny" Bolton, donning a Hawaiian shirt and sucking on an ice lolly.

Then, his younger self popped up on the screen in that legendary purple suit, and it flitted between him and people from around the UK: from those staying at home to doctors, nurses, firemen and supermarket workers on the frontline, strutting along to the catchy number.

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We saw blood bank workers, care homes, paramedics on duty, pharmacists and the UK's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty... well, on a mug.

Kids were dancing covered in glow-sticks, others were jumping on a trampoline in the garden and some were even taking part via Zoom. What fun!

Across the country, people eagerly watched to see if they had bagged a lucky spot in the new music video.

And viewers at home sung along with grins on their faces and tears in their eyes as they were reminded we can still have fun, even in the toughest of times.

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"Never thought I would be sitting here crying at is this the way to amarillo but here we are #BigNightIn @peterkay_co_uk," one person who had tuned in to the charity fundraiser wrote.

While another added: "Amarillo is just one of 'those' songs. Makes you smile. Musical sunshine."

"Just hearing Amarillo makes me happy. This was exactly what was needed, well done @peterkay_co_uk #BigNightIn," a third wrote.

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As a fourth penned: "Crying at Amarillo like an absolute baby!".

The comedian revealed he had been sent thousands of "very emotional" clips of people dancing to his hit following an online appeal.

And Tonie Christie even made a quick cameo, appearing in the video using a green screen.

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Peter Kay was just one of many stars who made a comeback for Big Night In. We also saw stars including Catherine Tate and David Walliams reunite, David Walliams and Matt Lucas reform for Little Britain and Dawn French become Geraldine from the Vicar of Dibley once more.

The biggest surprise was an appearance from Prince William in a sketch alongside Stephen Fry, where he made jokes about Zoom and his love of EastEnders.

The three hour event has raised a whopping £27m to help battle coronavirus so far, and the government has promised to double the total.

You can donate your chosen amount online here. To donate by phone, text HOPE to 70205 to send £5, 70210 to send £10, 70220 to send £20 and 70230 to send £30.

Topics: Music, TV News, Coronavirus, TV Entertainment

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

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